Bit of Advice

Posted on Sun Feb 22nd, 2026 @ 9:04pm by Captain William Abernathy & Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker

1,510 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds

ON:

Jon Abren stared at the logged in screen, waiting for the screen to shift to the new CO of the Arcadia. He had a nightmare on his desk and he hoped he could pull one last had trick before he retired. He took a drink of his coffee and waited.

The screen finally shifted. Captain William Abernathy, "Bill" to those who knew him well enough. He shifted in his seat and studied the man's facial expression and body language, assessing him. "You requested to speak with me?"

"Yes. Admiral Jon Abren, Starfleet personnel relations and in the middle of a bit of a migraine with your situation. Good to meet you Captain Abernathy."

"Ah, yes," replied Bill. "Causing admiralty migraines. I may have minored in that back at the Academy. What exactly has brought on your migraine this time?"

He snorted. "I think it's a mandatory class now. Those bastards at the Academy give bonus points to those how can master it before graduation." He laughed. He then sighed and motioned to two stacks. Do you know what these two stacks of cassettes are?"

Abernathy studied them momentarily. He did not, in fact, have the slightest idea. "Something tells me, Admiral, that it's not twentieth century Earth's best of Cyndi Lauper. What is it that I'm looking at?"

He laughed. "I wish it was something fun like that. This smaller stack holds seven requests for a transfer. All COs like yourself wanting your XO and practically screaming at me to give him there. This other one is all from your ship engineers spooked that their Chief is leaving open ended requests to be assigned to the ship he's being transferred to and this," He held up a folder. "A letter from one of the best XOs in the fleet Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker saying two things. One praising the Counseling program and saying how vital it is to the ship with a helpful suggestion saying that one suggestion he had was the counselors keep open and honest communications with the patients. So great. Love it. Starfleet medical is really happy. Then there is also the supplementary documents two complaints, filed one against This Alexander officer and one against you. Saying while he understands your decision and will as any officer is mandated to abide by it but then lays out how a CO who barley took over for five minutes met with the Counselor and without so much as a chance at defense...how did he put it." Abren opened the folder and then closed it. "Well he eloquently pointed out that he felt betrayed as a Starfleet officer and XO that without consultation or even speaking to him you made a decision what was best for him and implemented it without even so much as getting to know him or giving him the opportunity to speak." He sighed. "I get it. I do. Hell lost four sons in the war and just a year ago my wife to Rigelian fever but shit you didn't even take your office and you have an XO complaint?"

"We're Starfleet officers, Admiral. If I may be so....blunt with you," prefaced Abernathy.

"Go for it," The admiral said.

Bill looked at the screen directly. "I think one of Lieutenant Commander Walker's greatest problems is people like you" he said trying to navigate the line of respect an Admiral is due with the same tenacity he would show staring down any adversary on his bridge. Bill cleared his throat. "And I quote 'A letter from one of the best XOs in the fleet'" Bill shook his head. "He's good, but god damn you sycophants stroking that kids ego more intimately than an Orion slave girl on holiday."

Before the Admiral could interject, Abernathy composed himself. "Respectfully Admiral, we have to stop pandering to these kids regardless of golden as they may be. Sabastian Walker has spent only twelve years going from Ensign to First Officer. He has a lot of potential, but sometimes you have to yank them off the teat when they start getting their teeth."

"That's part of it but he got there in twelve years for a lot of reasons." He held up another tape. "Part of the reason is this. He would throw himself under the bus before seeing injustice. He's fair and frankly on paper the two of you should be filing for a marriage license. You're a great fit. I get that he's in grief and touchy as hell but he's also got a point. You came onto the ship you should have pulled him aside and laid out your thoughts. I guarantee that he would have stepped aside and understood. Part of being a good Captain is knowing that you're not always right. Talk to him, figure this out. With age comes the ability to see both sides. I am calling you for a statement and I will add it to this but this still stands. Figure it out both of you. You're both stubborn as mules. Also you should have this report in your in box but he filed a reprimand letter to be placed on one more officer's file. Take a guess whose?"

"Admiral, I've been Captain for decades... decorated, respected, and threatened with a desk job. Unlike you, I'm still on the bridge of Federation starship, not just any Federation starship either. No, I'm in command of a Constitution class starship. I do not lectured from anyone on how to be a 'good Captain,' because I already am" replied Abernathy.

He leaned forward to glare at the screen. "Place whatever you want in my file. You can find a good place to store it for safe keeping, but I am a year or two out from retiring. Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker will likely be my successor to command the USS Arcadia. What I need from you is not this critique on my style, but your support that I am putting that other stubborn mule through the wringer for a reason. I need to know he's ready to command this starship. Right now, he is not, but he damn well will be."

Abren rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Well then forget this. You're a Captain I'm an Admiral. I'm pulling rank here. Here is how it's going to be I will put both these complains on your file and the counselors. I'll give you my decision in a moment. I will also put the reprimand on his file. Do you realize he reprimanded himself? Let me tell you the shit storm he's dumped on me. Tapes and statements of evidence. Apparently yesterday he found out that before he was officially a part of the crew his Hubby dearest bullied the engineers and ran an engine room distillery and stole credit for ideas from others. On top of his grieving he found this out that his own husband betrayed him and he feels betrayed by you and Alexander. He's asked me to review it all and remove the commendations from his husband's files and note all the evidence. In twenty four hours despite his grief he's investigated sent me statements video evidence and asked to be reprimanded for not noticing this when he took over. He's honest to a fault and will always do the right thing even if it costs him. That's the XO you got. This, you all, are a bloody nightmare to a man retiring in four months so here is your order and your punishment. You have a counselor on board I will be contacting her. I hereby order you and Walker into couples therapy no talk back. Fix this between the two of you let me figure this engineering mess out. Defy me and I will lock you both in the Academy pits until you figure it out. Try me son. You may be a seasoned Captain by I'm older, meaner, and damn tired. You have your marching orders. FIX THIS BOTH OF YOU MULES!" He smacked his fist on the table.

"He's dramatic your arrogant congratulations I pronounce you Captain and XO. I'm giving you until the end of this mission to figure it out. Don't' make me chain you both together for a year cause I'll do it and happily retire." He hit the coms button to disconnect.

"Admiral, if you think you are punishing me in some way by forcing Lieutenant Commander Walker and I to work out our differences, then you are mistaken" replied Abernathy. "Send your orders for counselling over. I welcome them, as for the rest of the nightmare paperwork all of this is causing. Try not to get lost in it. Abernathy out." Bill gave a small nod and severed the channel. Hmm a little couples therapy Bill reclined in his chair. He had to give the Admiral some points for that one, it was smart. Bill was just going to find a way to take out their frustration by physical means, this seemed more civilized.

OFF:

 

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